Boat



Feb. 11, 1947. w, HUMPHREYS 2,415,495

BOAT Filed Jan. 28, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet l lllli'i'll Ill n It INVENTOR.

By Mae/a MfimP/wm Feb. 11, 1947. M. w. HUMPHREYS BOAT Filed Jan. 28, 1944 INVEN TOR.

4 Sheets-Sheet 3 M. w. HUMPHREYS BOAT Filed Jan.. 28, 1944 a U7 =n======n=============== I Nil mm 2522522252 Feb. 11, 1947.

M. w. HUMPHREYS 2,415,495

BOAT

Filed Jan. 28, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Feb. 11, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BOAT Marion W. Humphreys, Euclid, Ohio, assignor to The Ohio Rubber Company, Willoughby, Ohio,

a corporation of- Ohio Applicati on January 28, 1944, Serial No. 519,987

10 Claims.

The present invention relates to boats and, more particularly, to a boat capable of being partly disassembled r collapsed and arranged into a relatively small package.

The principal object of the invention is the provision of a novel and improved boat, which boat can be disassembled, partly disassembled or collapsed and arranged into a small package when not in use and can be readily assembled as desired. I

Another object of the invention is the provision of a novel and improved boat comprising a frame structure including a longitudinally extending stress-resisting compression member or assembly and a plurality of longitudinally spaced rigid frame members and an enclosing flexible waterproof covering for the frame structure, which covering together with the intermediate frame sections, constitute guy means for the longitudinally extending stress-resisting compression member.

The invention resides in certain constructions and combinations and arrangements of parts and further objects and advantages thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention relates from the following description of the preferred embodiment thereof described with reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts, and in which Fig. l is a plan view of a boat embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the boat shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of Fi 1;

Fig. 4 is a section with portions shown in elevation approximately on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a section approximately on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a section approximately on the line 15-; of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a section approximately on the line 1-1 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of a portion of Fig. 5;.

Fig. 9 is a section approximately on the line 9--9 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view'of the bow frame assembly;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged view of a portion of Fig. 4;

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing a boat of modified construction; 7

Fig. 13 is a sectional view approximately on the line Iii-I3 of Fig. 12; and I v Fig. 14 is an enlarged detail view of a portion of Fig. 12.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 11, inclusive, of the drawings, the boat shown therein comprises a frame structure, including a longitudinally extending stress-resisting compression member or assembly A, opposite ends of which are connected to bow and stern frame members B and C, respectively, and a plurality of transversely extending intermediate rigid frame members, designated generally by the reference characters D, E, F, G, H, I, J and K and which transverse frame members are preferably though not necessarily of the web type. The frame structure is enclosed by a flexible waterproof covering L, which covering together with the intermediate transverse frame members, constitute guy means for the stress-resisting assembly A. In the particular embodiment shown, eight transverse frame members are employed, however, it is to be understood that any desired number may be used depending upon the size of the boat, etc. The outside contour of the transverse frame members corresponds with the shape of the boat at the place where the particular cross frame in question is located and the upper part of the covering L is provided with an opening which forms the cockpit of the boat.

The longitudinally extending compression assembly A, as shown, comprises a plurality of tube sections II], ll, 12 and I3 adapted to be connected together and to the bow and stern frame members 3 and C and includes means located between two 'of the tube sections, in the present instance sections l l and I2, for expanding and contracting the assembly A longitudinally so that the assembly A can be expanded to stretch the covering L about the frame structure, including the bow and stem frame members, Or collapsed to permit its removal and the removal of the various transverse frame members from the covering L when it is desired to disassemble or collapse the boat. As shown, the tube section II is provided with a'sleeve l4 welded to the interior thereof adjacent toits lefthand or aft end, see'Fig'. 11, and a pin I5 extending through-the center of the sleeve. The sleeve M forms a stop for the right-hand or forward end of a threaded rod l6 projecting into the open end of the tube section II and provided witha reduced inner end I! having aslot l8 which engages over the pin 15 to prevent relative rotation between the tube section and the-rod while permitting the same tobe readily disassembled. The aft end of the rod I-B projects'into the forward stress-resisting end of the tube section I2 and is maintained in assembled relation therewith by a bolt 20, see Figs, 6 and 11, fixed in the tube [2, the inner end of which projects into an elongated slot 2| extending substantially the length of the rod It.

The rod I6 is adapted to be moved longitudinally of the tube section l2 for the purpose of expanding or contra-cting the assembly-A by a; nut member. 22 threaded thereon and adapted to;

abut against a member 23 welded to the righthand end of the tube section H. The movement of the nut member 22 away from the member 23 is limited by a member 24 fixed thereto and provided with an inwardly projecting, fiange12a5. which. engages the left-hand side; of: the: member:- 23..

The nut member 22 is provided with a plurality of rods 26 which facilitate rotationv thereof. with.- out the use of tools. As shown, three rods 26 are employed, each of which is threaded in a. tapped;

hole in the nut member; 22, however, any desired number of rods may be used and. they may. be

fixed to the nut member in any desired manner..

The tube sections and H, as shown, are connected together by a short rod 21 projecting into their adjoining ends. The rod 21 is fixed within: the aft end of thetube section: It while:

the opposite end thereof is slidable within the tube section II. Relative rotation between the. tube. section I!) and the rod 21 is prevented by a pin fixed in the. tube. H projecting through the:

for expanding; and contracting the length of the: assembly, for example, a toggle: mechanism, a ratchet mechanism, or a friction jack mechanism, etc. It is also. to be understood that any number of. sections may be employed and any suitable. means used to connect the sections together solong as the stress-resisting assembly is.

capable of being dismantledor. collapsed and of. being expanded for the purpose of tightening or Stretching. the covering L: over the frame structure.

The forward end; of: the. stresseresisting as:- sembly A is connected to the-bow frame. member B; by a member 3|, see Fig, 10,.fixed: to. the bow framelproper and providedwith a reduced: end 32 slida-ble within the forward end of thetube sectionlfl. A pin 33 fixedito the member 3| and engageable within. a. slot 34- in the endof the tube:

lo prevents relative rotationbetween the tube section. In and the. member 3 I.

in: the embodiment. shown, the forward end of themcmber3lisprovided with a.slot.36 forthe. Preferably the; center; i e. of the. portion 32 of; the member.

reception of the. bow frame. proper.

3 I. forms a, slight; angle, designated. inthe. draw-- ings-as .r, with thelongitudinal center line: of. the

stress-resisting; assembly Aprior to; theassembly of thetube section .lOwith the member 3 I. This constructionslightly raises, or has a.- tendency toslightlyrraise, thebow of the boat whentheparts: aretassembled. The tubesection l3 atthe aftiend. of the. stressrresisting assembly A 1 connected to.

A; collar 35fixed tothe member 3| as by being welded. thereto forms an abutmentfor the end of the tube. section ID. The bow frame; proper is. preferably made; of. relatively light material, such as plywood, and

4. the stern frame C in a manner similar to that in which the tube section I D is connected to the bow frame B and will not be described in detail.

As previously stated, the shape of the various transverse frame members corresponds with the cross-sectional shape of the boat at the place where the particular frame member is located and obviously any desired suitable shape and number of members may be employed. The transverse'frame members are preferably made of light strong material, such as plywood, and those located at the cockpit of the boat are preferably out out as shown in Fig. 5 so as to obstruct the. cockpit of. the boat as little as possible. The

- transverse. frame. members are provided with apertures-through: which the various tube sections of the stress-resisting assembly A extend and are preferablyconnected to the assembly A in such a manner that they will be retained in their desired locations longitudinally of the boat. As shown, the: transverse framev member H is provided with a flanged sleeve member 31 fixed thereto-as by bolts 38 and through which the tube Relative section H'of the assembly A-v projects. movement between the'sleeve member 3'! and the tube H is prevented. by a pin 40 projectingv through aligned apertures in the sleeve 3'! and the tube I l. The various transverse frame members are connected to the assembly A in a simi-'' lar manner. When it is desired to remove the stress-resisting assembly A from the transverse frame members, the pins 40 can be withdrawn and the tube sections removed. Preferably the pins are attached to wires 4| fixed to the frame members so that. they will not be lost while the boatis dismantled.

The waterproofed flexible covering L shown forms an enclosure for the framestructure and engagestheperipheries of thenumerous trans-- verse frame members- The covering L comprises a waterproof canvas member or part 42,

the lower portions of which: are further waterproofed by an outer rubber-like coating 43, see Figs. 5 and 8. As shown, the covering L is rein-- forced by 'a plurality of continuous flexible cables 44,, 45., 4 6,. 41, 48 and. encircling the frame structure. andpreferablyfixedto the canvas 4-2 by tapes. sewedv to. the interior of the. covering,

andla cable .50 extending. between the bow and.

stem frame members B and C. The respective cables lie in substantially horizontal planes and each cable is provided with a turnbuckle 5| for adjusting its length. As shown, the cables pass through holes in the bow and stern frame members; which construction retains the bow and stern frame-members within the covering when the-boat is dismantled and collapsed. Alternaw tively a single cable looped around the frame structure a plurality of times' can be employed in place of the plurality of individual cables shown. It is. also to be. understood that the cables need not necessarily pass through holes in the: bow and stem frame members but may merely engage the peripheries thereof; in which the frame structure,forrexample, as by. passing through holes in the transverse frame members similar to the holes: nowemployediin. theibow and stem frame members. In small size boats, the cables may be omitted altogether provided the covering is made strong enough to withstand the stresses to which it is subject in use.

The covering L adjacent to the opening which forms the cockpit of the boat is preferably provided with loop-like members 52 adapted to engage over the projecting ends 53 of the transverse frame members so as to better retain the covering in position on the frame structure. A plurality of spreader members 54 and 55, see Figs. 1 and 3, located adjacent to the fore and aft ends, respectively, of the cockpit help to strengthen the bottom of the boat. As shown, the spreader members engage opposite parts of the cable 45. Each of the members is provided with a hole adjacent to one end through which the cable passes while the other ends are provided with slots adapted to detachably receive the cable. Additional spreader members may be employed if desired.

As shown, the frame member J located at the aft end of the cockpit is reinforced by a plurality of vertically positioned angle irons 56, see Fig. 7, extends above the gunwales, and is adapted to receiveatransverse bracket member M detachablysecured thereto by a plurality of thumb screws 51. The bracket member M extends to opposite sides of the boat where it is provided with rectangular sections 58 and 59 adapted to receive outboard motors. A similar bracket member may be attached to any of the other transverse frame members if desired. The particular construction of the frame M forms no part of the present invention. Preferably it is made as light as possible and, as shown, consists of a metal reinforced wood member.

The stress-resisting assembly A is spaced from the sides and the bottom of the boat, see Figs. 5 and 7, and the center line thereof corresponds substantially with the intersection of the vertical and horizontal center planes of the boat. The cables and/or covering L extends along not only both sides of the stress-resisting assembly but also above and below the same. The construction is such that the stress-resisting assembly can be made relatively light because the transverse frame members, in combination with the cables and/or covering, form a guy means therefor and prevent its bending under the various stresses to which it is subject in use. If the stress-resisting assembly is not straight when the boat is first assembled, it can be stranghtened by adjusting the turnbuckles 5| on the various cables in a manner similar to the way the mast of a sailboat is straightened by adjusting the various guy wires or stays therefor. The cross frames, in the present instance, serve the same or a similar function as that of the cross arm of the mast.

The boat shown in Figs. 1 to 11 of the drawings and described above is intended to be paddled or otherwise manipulated by persons sitting side by side, one on either side of the stress-resisting assembly A. As shown, two persons can sit between each of the transverse frame members F to J, inclusive. Preferably, the transverse frame members which extend across the cockpit of the boat, are cut out as indicated in Fig. 5 while the other frames are preferably solid to afford greater strength. Obviously any desired seating arrangement may be employed.

Where the boat is intended to be manipulated by one person or anumber of persons sitting in tandem, the stress-resisting assembly is prefertogether in a similar manner.

ably constructed as shown in Figs. 12, 13 and 14, which disclose a boat similar in construction to the boat shown in Figs. 1 to 11, except that the stress-resisting assembly A intermediate its ends is divided and opposite sides thereof extend along the sides of the boat in such a manner that a person or persons can sit between the same. Corresponding parts are designated by the same reference characters with prime marks affixed thereto.

The tube sections l0 and 13 of the boat shown in Figs. 1 to 11 are replaced by yoke members 60 and BI located at the bow and stern of the boat, the single prongs of which yoke members engage the bow member 3 l and the corresponding stern member in a manner similar to that in which the corresponding members engage the tube sections 10 and I3. The yoke members are connected together and adapted to be moved towards and from each other to expand and contract the stress-resisting assembly A by a pair of side members, including tube sections H and I2 similar in construction to the tubular sections H and I2 previously described and connected The intermediate transverse frame members F, G, H and J' of the boat shown in Figs. 12, 13 and 14 are similar in construction to the frame members shown in Figs. 1 to 11 except for the fact that the central openings through the members shown in Figs. 1 to 11 are replaced by pairs of openings 62 adja cent to but spaced from the side of the frame members. The function of the stress-resisting assembly A shown in Figs. 12, 13 and 14 is the same as that of the stress-resisting assembly A shown in the preceding figures. When either of the boats shown are not in use, the stress-resisting assemblies and the transverse frame members can be removed and assembled with the cover L and the other parts into a relatively small packago.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the objects of the invention heretofore enumerated and others have been accomplished and that a new and improved collapsible boat has been pro-' vided, which boat is light in weight and can be arranged into a relatively small package when dismantled and which can also be readily assembled for use. While the preferred embodiment of th invention has been described in considerable detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular constructions shown, which constructions may be varied within the scope of this invention and it is my intention to hereby cover all adaptations, modifications and variations thereof which come within the practice of those skilled in the art to. which the invention relates and within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a boat the combination of a bow frame member, a stern frame member, a plurality of longitudinally spaced transverseframe membersintermediate said bow and stern frame members,-

a longitudinally extending member connected to said bow and stem frame members and extend ing through said transverse frame members, a flexible cable-like member extending around said frame members and connected thereto adjacent to their outer edges, a flexible waterproof covering having an opening in the top enclosing said frame members and said cable-like member, and means for detachably connecting said covering to a plurality of said frame members.

3. In a boat the combination of a bow frame member, a stern frame member, a'plurality of longitudinally spaced transverse frame members intermediate said bow and stern frame members, a longitudinally extending member detachably connected :to said bow and stern framemembers and extending through said transverse frame members, a plurality .of vertically spaced flexible cable-like members extending around said frame members and connected thereto'adjacent to their outer edges, and a flexible waterproof covering having an opening in the top enclosing said frame members and said cable-like members.

4. ma boat the combination of a bow frame member, a stern frame member, a plurality of longitudinally spaced transverse frame members intermediate said bow and stern frame members, a longitudinally extending composite member connected to said bow and stern frame members and extending through said transverse frame members, means for movably connecting together aplurality of the parts of said composite member, a cable-like member extending around said frame members and engaging the same adjacent to their outer edges, and a flexible waterproof covering having an opening in the top enclosing said frame members and said cable-like member.

5. In a boat the combination of a bow frame, a stern frame, a plurality of longitudinally spaced transverse frames intermediate said bow and stern frames, a longitudinally extending composite member connected to said bow and stern frames and extending through said transverse frames, means for movably connectin together a plurality of the parts of said member, a flexible cable-like member extending around said frames and engagin the same adjacent to their outer edges, means for varying the length of one of said members, and a flexible waterproof covering having an opening in the top enclosing said frames and said cable-like member.

6. In a boat the combination of a bow frame, a stern frame, a plurality of longitudinally spaced transverse frames intermediate said bow and stern frames, a longitudinally extending composite member extending through said transverse frames, means for movably connecting together a plurality of the parts of said member, means for movably connectingsaid member to said bow and stern frames, means for varying the length of said member, a flexible cable-like member extending around said frames and connected thereto adjacent to their outer edges, and a flexible waterproof covering having an opening in the top enclosing said frames and said cable-like member.

7. In a boat the combination of a bow frame, a stern frame, a plurality of longitudinally spaced transverse frames intermediate said bow and stem frames, a longitudinally extending composite member extending through said transverse frames, means for movably connecting together a plurality of the parts of said member, means for movably connecting said member to said bow and stern frames,.a flexible cable-like member extending around said frames and connected thereto adjacent to their outer edges, means for varying the length of said endless cable-like member, and a flexiblexwaterproof covering having an opening in the top enclosing said frames and said cable-like member.

8. In a boat the combination of a rigid bow frame, a rigid stern frame, a plurality of longitudinally spacedrigid transverse frames intermediate said bow and stem frames, a longitudinally extending rigid composite member extending through said transverse frames and spaced from the edges thereof, means for detachably connectin together a plurality of'the parts of said member, means for detachably connecting said member to said bow and stem frames, means for varying the length of said member, means "for detachably connecting said cross frames to said member, a plurality of vertically spaced flexible endless cable-like member's extending around said frames andconnected thereto adjacent to their outer edges, means for varying the length of said endless cable-like members, a flexible waterproof covering having an openin in the top enclosing said frames and said cable-like members, and means for detachably fastening said covering to a plurality of said frames.

9. In a boat, the combination of a frame structure comprising a longitudinally extending stressresisting assembly, means for expanding said stress-resisting assembly lengthwise, bow and stern frame members connected to opposite ends of said stress-resisting asembly, a, plurality of intermediate transverse frame members of the web type connected to said stress-resisting assembly at spaced points, a plurality of transversely spaced flexible cable-like members connected to said bow and stern frame members and extending over the outer edges of said web frame members, and a flexible waterproof covering enclosing said frame structure and cable-like members and having an opening in the top thereof, saidstresse resisting assembly extending through said 'web frame members in spaced relation tosaid covering.

10. In a boat, the combination of a frame structure comprising a longitudinally extending stressresisting assembly, bow and stern frame members connected to opposite ends of said stressresisting assembly, a plurality of intermediate transverse frame members of the web type connected to said stress-resisting assembly at spaced points, and a flexible waterproof covering enclosing said frame structure and having an opening in the top thereof, said stress-resisting assembly extending through said web frame members in spaced relation to said covering.

MARION W. HUMPHREYS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent;

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 234,164 Armstrong Nov. 9, 1880 833,846 Perring Oct. 23, 1906. 1,289,906 Presament, et al. Dec. 31, 1918 507,439 King Oct. 24, 1893 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 439,459 French J an. 27,1912 

